Express Is Growing in New Zealand: Meet the Man Leading the Charge in Auckland
We sat down with Matt, Regional Manager for Auckland, to talk about a market on the move, a team he is incredibly proud of, and why he believes the sky is the limit for Express in New Zealand.
Five weeks into a new role and Matt is already clear on one thing: he has landed somewhere special.
As Regional Manager for Express Employment Professionals in Auckland, Matt is working across one of New Zealand’s most geographically spread and industrially diverse cities, supporting his team, developing new territories, and helping businesses find the people they need as confidence returns to the NZ market. We caught up with him to hear what he is seeing on the ground and what he is most excited about for the year ahead.
A City Full of Opportunity
Auckland is a big city in every sense, and the industrial landscape reflects that. Matt’s team currently has Genevieve and Anton covering Penrose and Onehunga, Anthony looking after Wiri and Manukau, and Matt himself focused on developing West and North Auckland. “One minute you can be visiting a large manufacturing business, and the next you’re meeting with a family-owned operation that’s been around for decades,” he says. “Every area has its own feel, which keeps things interesting.”
The sectors keeping the team busy span a wide range: warehousing, traffic control, labouring, civil work, and machine operators. “It’s going off!” Matt says. “We supply people for them all.”
Developing the West and North territory is a particular focus. “There are so many opportunities to build new relationships and introduce businesses to what Express can offer,” he says. “I love learning about what they do, how they operate, and the challenges they face.”
A Market Coming Back to Life
Matt is candid about the conditions he has walked into. “NZ has been in a real slump for the last 12 to 18 months. It’s been a tough market.” But the mood is shifting. “With business confidence coming back, we’re seeing more clients starting to need people again. Construction sites are getting busier, which in turn drives smaller industries to supply them. Confidence is coming back, and we’re seeing NZ starting to grow.”
For Express, that recovery is an opportunity. Businesses that sat tight through the downturn are now moving again, and they need a staffing partner who understands their rhythms — not just a supplier who shows up when the phone rings.
Why the Franchise Model Changes Everything
One of the things Matt keeps coming back to in client conversations is what makes Express genuinely different: the franchise model. “Because we have a franchise model, clients are dealing with the business owners. Not just a consultant with no skin in the game. This changes the dynamic.”
For clients, that means quality candidates, delivered quickly, by people who are personally invested in getting it right. “We don’t throw square pegs at round holes.” For candidates, it means being matched to work they can actually do, not just being sent somewhere because they are available. “We screen them thoroughly and make sure they are kept safe.”
The results are starting to show. “We are starting to see referrals through the businesses we’re working with and growing a great reputation as a result.” When clients tell their peers, you know something is working.
A Team That Is Genuinely Hard to Beat
Ask Matt about his biggest win so far and he does not hesitate: the team. “I have walked into a successful group of people all heading in the same direction. We have a fun office with a ton of laughs, all while getting the job done. It’s a great place to be, with great people.”
That energy translates directly into how the team shows up for clients. “They are driven. There is a ton of competition in the market. Why do clients come to us? It’s our team. We look to partner with clients, not just supply them. We understand their trading patterns and work with them as they get busy, then quieten off again. We’re here to work with companies and become part of the furniture.”
What the Next 12 Months Look Like
Matt’s excitement about the year ahead is hard to contain. One milestone in particular stands out: watching his colleague Anthony step up to Territory Manager and take on his own region. “I cannot wait to pop the champagne and toast his success in his new branch.”
Beyond that, the vision is national. “Auckland is going from strength to strength, this will spread to other regions across NZ.” Express is already planning its expansion beyond Auckland, and Matt is clear about where it is heading: “The sky is the limit in NZ. I can’t wait.”
His advice to anyone thinking about working with Express is characteristically straightforward. “We might appear to be the small players in the market, but globally Express Employment Professionals is huge. We are making massive steps into the NZ market. We have a team second to none, and we are going places. We are looking forward to welcoming new clients and candidates into our family.”
It Has Always Been About People
Underneath the territory maps and growth plans, what drives Matt is something simpler. “It’s all about people. From relationships with clients, to putting good people into work, I love helping people.”
He brings a perspective to that work that not every recruiter has. “I was a temp once and understand how scary walking into a recruitment office is. I carry that with every candidate I sign up. I understand how walking into a job site on day one feels.”
The first candidate he ever found work for? They are still in touch. Some clients have become candidates over the years. Some candidates have become clients. “For me it’s about the relationships,” he says. “I still remember the first candidate I found work for. We are still in contact, and we regularly touch base.”
If you are a business looking for a staffing partner in Auckland or a candidate looking for your next opportunity, Matt and the Express team would love to hear from you.